Brad Rogers
Member
Are thinking about changing away from Reef Crystals salt because of the residue problem?
Lightsluvr's 340G Upgrade
- Thread starter Lightsluvr
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I am researching other salt mixes, but it will be a while before any change, as I still have three 160G buckets of Reef Crystals on hand. However, I am going to do tests on all new saltwater before it goes in my system.
LL
edandsandy
Active member
George,
I like RC, I don't have to dose anything to bump it up so too speak....
Have you read this article by Randy Homes -Farley?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php#2
I like RC, I don't have to dose anything to bump it up so too speak....
Have you read this article by Randy Homes -Farley?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-07/rhf/index.php#2
Brad Rogers
Member
Just curious, what brand of test kits do you like to use for Ca, dKh, Mg, etc..?
Test kits
Test kits
I normally use ELOS kits, but double check the results monthly with Salifert kits.
I use ELOS because the color change is easier for my old eyes to recognize. In some kits, the Salifert color change is very subtle and hard to pin down...
JME.
LL
Test kits
I normally use ELOS kits, but double check the results monthly with Salifert kits.
I use ELOS because the color change is easier for my old eyes to recognize. In some kits, the Salifert color change is very subtle and hard to pin down...
JME.
LL
Randy
Randy
Randy is pretty incredible...and so willing to share with the reefing community.
I got a kick out of another thread where some folks were ganging up on Reef Crystrals and some other salt mixes. Someone referred to Randy's tests - and one of the uninformed chimed in "Randy who"? The interloper was sure that whoever this Randy was didn't know more about salt mixes than he knew from his anecdotal experiences...
ah, me - ignorance is bliss..."
LL
Randy
Randy is pretty incredible...and so willing to share with the reefing community.
I got a kick out of another thread where some folks were ganging up on Reef Crystrals and some other salt mixes. Someone referred to Randy's tests - and one of the uninformed chimed in "Randy who"? The interloper was sure that whoever this Randy was didn't know more about salt mixes than he knew from his anecdotal experiences...
ah, me - ignorance is bliss..."
LL
Yes, I read that article as part of my current study on Reef Crystals. Like you, I am happy that I have to do almost no dosing with RC. What a change over using Instant Ocean!
I have noticed the residue on my mixing pumps, but it's more an annoyance at this point. I haven't detected anything adverse going on in the DT.
LL
DanW
Certified Stick Killer
George, I see that you build is coming along nicely but I had to go back 3 pages to find pictures. What's up with that? More pictures please, sir. 
BTW put me into the camp that tests each batch of water before each water change. Maybe I'm being too anal but I believe the 10 minutes and marginal cost of testing each batch far outweighs the potential harm (disaster) that may occur however unlikely.
BTW put me into the camp that tests each batch of water before each water change. Maybe I'm being too anal but I believe the 10 minutes and marginal cost of testing each batch far outweighs the potential harm (disaster) that may occur however unlikely.
serpentman
part time superhero
Unfortunately, I wouldn't add the pro wheel without the upgraded cup. It creates a LOT more turbulence in the body. The pro neck adds a little pressure and reaction time to calm things down. If you go through Reef Specialty, I believe there is a price break on the wheel when you buy it with the neck. Its a big pill to swallow at ~$325 for the package but it takes the skimmer to the next level.
Its definitely something that could be put off til later. I am not sure how long they plan to continue to make them. That would be the only urgency.
Dave's Reef
New member
Just catching up here George and thought I'd chime in about the salt thing a few posts back.
I'd never heard of mixing salt either until recently and have begun to do this now. I take a few 5 gallon buckets and mix pour it into each 3, roll it around a bit then combine them back together rolling each time. A bit time consuming but makes good sense after reading of others problems with various readings from not mixing!
Good luck on your soon coming split!
I'd never heard of mixing salt either until recently and have begun to do this now. I take a few 5 gallon buckets and mix pour it into each 3, roll it around a bit then combine them back together rolling each time. A bit time consuming but makes good sense after reading of others problems with various readings from not mixing!
Good luck on your soon coming split!
Reef_Matrix29
Water Lover
George what kind of skimmer do you have now? Does the cone style seem to give you better performance than a traditional cylinder one? I'm thinking of upgrading my skimmer from an AquaC EV-120 with my 120 build, but not sure which direction to go at this point. Maybe a Vertex.
I have a Reeflo Orca 250 skimmer. It is not a "cone style" (like the Hurricone and a few others) as they are being produced today.
LL
tomtoothdoc
New member
we just hooked up my friend's orca skimmer i think it's a 250 just like yours but i think with the extended neck. we found a leak by the impeller shaft....probably from swapping in the pin wheel....what a bummer. we pvc'd everything....now we gotta drain and take out the pump. how do you totally drain the black box under the skimmer body?
Fortunately I haven't had to do that, but the only way I can see to drain the bottom is to remove the pump and turn the skimmer over... hopefully when you used PVC, you used a lot of double unions...
If it was me , I'd try to siphon out as much water as possible through the skimmer feed opening in the base, then pick up the entire skimmer and take it outside before removing the pump...
You might try this thread for advice:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1567541&highlight=orca+250+skimmer
Lots of informed users over there...
Good luck.
LL
serpentman
part time superhero
My 250 has a small drain in the box to empty. Might be something you could retrofit.
tomtoothdoc
New member
would you please clarify that. yours has a drain at the bottom of the black box? or did you install something at the very bottom of it? ours has a drain at the top of the black box.
tomtoothdoc
New member
yes we used several double unions. it can be disconnected but it ain't easy.
siphoning out and take the whole skimmer outside to drain.....thanks for the idea....we may have to do that.
Stealth91RT
New member
Looking good! Nice pics of the skimmer. You plan on adding anything special as far as livestock in this tank.
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